PROUD Eorl Crabtree has admitted playing for England against Australia exceeded all his expectations.
The 27-year-old Giants prop was one of his nation’s top performers in Saturday’s 26-16 Four Nations defeat against the Kangaroos at Wigan’s DW Stadium.
It was the first time Crabtree had faced Australia and he admitted the way he played helped lift his confidence and has increased his hopes of facing New Zealand at his Galpharm Stadium ‘home’ on Saturday.
“Playing against Australia was everything I expected and more,” said Crabtree, who also became the first Huddersfield player to compete in a Test match against the Green and Golds since Tommy Smales in 1963.
“Finally to have had the opportunity to play against the Australians is a fantastic feeling.
“And that feeling is even better because of the way I played.
“Obviously, it was bitterly disappointing to have lost the game, but I was happy with my own performance.
“I went into the game with the whole idea of trying to show everyone what I can do and be an asset to England, which I believe I was. I just tried to play my own game and I don’t think I did anything wrong. Apparently I was on the field about 47 minutes and I loved every single second of it.”
Having not played against Australia before, Crabtree admitted he didn’t know exactly what to expect.
But he felt he quickly got into the groove.
“It was pretty fast out there, that was the first thing I noticed,” he said.
“But I think I managed to adapt to that fairly quickly, and that helped my confidence.
“To be honest, it wasn’t quite as physical as I expected, although I’d have been happy if it had. I’ve always enjoyed the physical side and off-loading on the back of the big contact, which I know it’ll be against New Zealand here on Saturday.
“I hope I’ve done enough to be included. I don’t think I could have done much more.”
